Foldable table structure.



V. J. GRIESHEIMER. FOLDABLB TABLE STRUCTURE.

APPLICATION FXLED APR. 22, 1912.

1,080,437. y Patented 1360.2, 1913.

' furor/nu,

VALENTINE J. GRIESHEIMER, OF CHILLICOTHE, OHIO.

FOLDABLE TABLE STRUCTURE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed April 22, 1912.

atentetl D ec. 2, 19] 3.

sei-iai No. 692,430.

T0 all 'whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, V.\m1N'iiNn J. Gainsiinimrnn, a citizen of theUnited States, residing at Chillicothe, in the county of Ross and Stateof Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in FoldableTable Structures, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to foldable table structure and is particularlydirected to the provision of an improvement in that class of tableswhich are readily adjustable to vary the general conformation of thetable top from a square, rectangular or general circular and ovalfo-rmation to slightly analogous forms.

My improvement is designed to provide such a structure of table topformation that the table top may be enlarged or decreased as regardssuperficial area by a simple manipulation thereof and in theeffectuatio-n of these results, my invention is particularly efficientbecause of the fact that the adjustable structure is peculiarly formedto retain a maximum degree of strength and rigidity.

Various features of my invention and the resultant advantages thereof,will he more fully set forth at length in the folle-wing specificationreferring` to the drawing, wherein similar characters of referencedesignate corresponding parts, and wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a table top structure modeled inconformity to my improvement, Fig. 2 is a bottom plan View of thestructure sho-wn in Fig. 1, Fig. 3 1s a detail of the rim and hingestructure constituting one of the essentials of my inven tion, Fig. 11is a detail showing my improved form of brace structure for the foldableleaves of my table, Fig. 5 is a detail showing one of the lockingelements for maintaining the said leaves in folded position, and, Fig. 6is a section taken on line 6d@ of Fig. 2 looking in the direction of thear rows and showing a combined brace and latch struct-ure.

In the drawings, the table structure is shown as comprising a centralstandard 1 upon which is mounted a center piece 2 preferably having aplurality of radial brace elements 3, Il, 5 and 6 which are connected toa rim element 7 extending entirely around the table and rigidly mountedthereon, being determinately disposed within the external edge of thecenter piece 2. At intervals, the rim is provided with hinges S which inturn support supplemental leaves t) preferably having brace elements 1()designed to aline with the brace elements 3, l-, 5 and 6 of the centerpiece 2. These hinge elements are, however, connected to thesupplemental leaves by cross pieces 11 which preferably extend beyondthe inner edges of the supplemental leaves, as shown in Figs. Lland Itwill, ,of course, be understood that these cross pieces 11 are rigidlysecured to the supplemental leaf structure and to one leaf of eachhinge, serving as the only means of connection between the center pieceand the supplemental leaves.

From the structure thus far described, it will be apparent that there isprovided a center piece and supplemental leaves which are capable ofassuming two positions, either a raised or a folded position. In theraised position the cross pieces 11 tit firmly against the outer sidesof the cross rim 7 and the inner edge'of the supplemental leaves titfirmly against the outer edges of the center piece 2. Thus, it will beseen that there is formed an L-shaped or interlocking joint structure,which makes for a great degree of rigidity. These supplemental leavesare maintained in raised position by means of pivoted brace elements 12which are desirably pivoted at their inner ends as at 13, one upon eachof the radial braces 3, 1-, 5 and G and which are adapted to he swunginto position of alinement with the radial brace ele-ments 3, Ll, 5 andG and with the members 10, in which position they span the joint bctweenthe supplemental leaves and the center piece of the table. Extendinglaterally from one side of each of the radial brace elements is a pin111 which is adapted to coact with a pierced metallic dependent member15 to support each brace element 12 in juxtaposition to the point whereit spans the said joint. In addition, adjacent to each brace element 12and in the arc described by the dependent member 15 during the swingingof the brace element 12, is a hook member 16 which is adapted to enterthe aperture of such dependent member and maintain the swinging braceelement in inoperative position. Thus, it will be seen, that thedependent member serves when the brace is in normal position by coactionwith the pin 141 to increase the rigidity of such brace and more firmlyprevent collapse of the supplemental leaf. Also, it is operative whenthe brace is in inoperative position to maintain such position of thebrace.

The means for locking each supplemental leaf in folded position,preferably comprises a resilient rod 17 mounted at one end upon the rim7 and extending inwardly an appreciable distance, being preferablyprovided with a downward extension 18 to facilitate manipulationthereof. This rod member 17 is preferably provided with a loop or hookformation as at 19 which is capable of a latching action in connectionwith a pin 20. ln other words, the swinging` of the supplemental leafinto folded position, will cause the pin to contact with the loopdescribed and force it ontwardly and slightly upwardly about the pointof support of the resilient rod 17 until such pin has moved intoposition within such loop. The outward movement of the loop is limitedby staple 2].. 1t will be understood that a latch structure identical tothis, may be provided for each supple` mental loop.

From the description, it will be apparent that I have provided aystructure of table which is readily manipulative to vary its generalappearance and which, regardless of the varied form, presents a rigidconstruction due partially to the interlocking rim formation andpartially to the peculiar form of brace elements in the nature ofswinging brace members provided with an intermediate support of a simplenature.

' Furthermore, the latch structure is such that the leaves may bereadily folded and will au'- tomatically lock in position, although thelength and general formation of the resilient loop arms greatlyfacilitates releasefof these supplemental elements for the purpose ofextension.

lVhat I claim, is-

Foldable table structure comprising a center piece, a plurality ofsupplemental leaves, a plurality of swinging braces pivoted to thecenter piece, pins disposed ntermediate the ends of said swingingelements on said center' piece, and a locking loopr carried by each ofsaid braces for fitting through said pins and adapted to resist thedownward movement of the supplemental leaves of said foldable tablestructure.

ln testimony whereof I affix my signature in the presence of twowitnesses.

VALENTNE J. GRIESHEIMER.

`Witnesses F Loro lRwIN,

J W. (lanterna, Jr.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C.

